Swiss Chard Growing Guide
Growing Swiss Chard is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Vegetable
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Growing Zones
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Plant Family
Amaranthaceae
Growing Season
Cool & Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Biennial
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
30 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Swiss Chard?
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Your Swiss Chard Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Swiss Chard's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
0.5 cm
Seeding Depth
20 cm
Plant Spacing
45 cm
Row Spacing
4
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Tower.
Method: Tower.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 5–10 days
Growing Tips
- 1Plant Swiss chard in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade, ensuring it receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
- 2Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, watering deeply once or twice a week.
- 3Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil, and space plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and growth.
- 4To manage pests, regularly inspect leaves for signs of damage and use organic methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~50
Days to Maturity
45 cm
Mature Height
38 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
60 days
When to Pick
Cut outer leaves continuously
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest Swiss chard when the leaves are about 6 to 8 inches long and firm.
- 2Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer leaves about 1 to 2 inches above the soil, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
- 3Avoid pulling the leaves to prevent damaging the plant.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Swiss Chard plant is easy and rewarding! Simply let a few healthy plants grow through the season until they send up tall flower stalks and produce seeds, which look like small, round clusters. Once the stalks turn brown and dry, gently cut them and shake the seeds into a paper bag. Let the seeds dry for a week in a cool, dry place, then store them in a labeled envelope or jar in a dark, dry spot—your seeds will be ready for next season! With just a little patience, you’ll have your own homegrown Swiss Chard seeds and the satisfaction of starting your next crop from scratch.
Seed Production
Feeling inspired?
Grow Swiss Chard from seed.
Rainbow-coloured stems and one of the longest-producing greens you can grow. Buy a pack and get started.
$2.25
CAD
In Stock
